Neck lift

You may be a candidate for a neck lift if you are bothered by loose or sagging skin on your neck, excess fat under your chin, or a jawline that has lost definition. This procedure tends to go more smoothly for people in good overall health who do not smoke and who have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot do.

During your consultation, the surgeon reviews your medical history, the medications you take, and your skin's quality and elasticity, since some conditions — such as bleeding disorders or health problems that slow healing — may mean the procedure is not advisable. Depending on your case, the specialists at Healthcare by the Sea will help you decide whether a neck lift is right for you.

A neck lift is performed under anesthesia: either local anesthesia with sedation — the usual choice in an outpatient setting — or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery and what your surgeon recommends.

The surgeon makes discreet incisions that usually start in front of the ear, wrap behind it, and hide within the hairline; sometimes a small additional incision is made under the chin. Through these incisions, the surgeon removes excess skin, removes or redistributes fat — sometimes with the help of liposuction — and tightens the platysma muscle to better define the contour of the neck. The skin is then gently redraped and closed with fine sutures.

Afterward, you rest in a recovery room under close observation by the medical team. As an outpatient procedure, most patients return home later the same day, with clear instructions and the attentive support of our team.

Everything starts with a consultation: your surgeon reviews your medical history, examines the skin and structures of your neck and face, and takes photographs from several angles to plan the surgery and talk through your goals and expectations with you.

Your doctor may ask you to stop, with the timing they indicate, medications and supplements that increase bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or certain herbal remedies; take only what your surgeon approves. If you smoke or vape, stopping for several weeks before and after surgery is important, because tobacco makes it harder for the skin to heal.

Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if possible, have a family member or friend stay with you for a night or two. Our team in Puerto Vallarta can help you coordinate these details — especially if you are traveling from another city or from the U.S. or Canada.

After surgery, it is normal for your neck to feel tight, swollen, and bruised, with areas of temporary numbness around the incisions. You will typically wear a bandage or a soft compression garment for the first days, sleep with your head elevated, and avoid twisting or bending your neck sharply while the tissues heal.

Swelling and bruising usually fade gradually over the first two to three weeks, and many patients return to everyday and social activities within that time, depending on how each case progresses. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are usually postponed for a few more weeks, until your doctor clears them, and the contour of the neck becomes more visible as swelling continues to go down over the following months.

Go to the emergency room right away if you develop a high fever, heavy bleeding, pain that gets worse instead of better, marked swelling on one side of the neck, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, and notify the doctor who performed your procedure as soon as possible.

Medical reference source: Mayo Clinic.